Speedometer Needle Jumping

[Boxerkuh]

Greetings I noticed today on my way home from work that my speedometer is acting weird. Never having posted before I thought I give it a try. I have a 86 R80 with 86K on it; the tach was service last year and is in good working order. The speedometer needle is jumping around, :banghead I have noticed that it is fine to about 40 mph :clap , after that it jumps around by about 5 mph, above 55 or 60 mph it jumps around about 10 mph. :cry What are my options here?? :bottle Thanks in advance for you help and feedback

[20774]

Generally you're not supposed to, but you could try some lubricant in the cable, not too much especially near the speedo head. If it were me, after that many miles, I'd just buy a new BMW cable and be done with it. Most likely, that's the problem. What may be happening is a small piece of the wire-wound cable has come loose and is hanging up on the sheath. It hangs, then lets loose, hangs, well you get the picture. If it still jumps after putting a new cable on, then there's some stiction inside the speedo and will probably need professional care, places like Palo Alto or Overseas Speedometer. You might open the speedo up and look around, but it can be tricky...

Kurt in S.A.

[RandyB]

New cable is good advice. Check this link also: http://www.airheads.org/content/view/160/49/
My speedo was acting the same way right before I had to rebuild it. You may just need to clean and lube it. It was pretty easy, just follow the instructions carefully.

[Boxerkuh]

That sounds like some solid advise. Thanks for the help. I have my weekend project lined up.

[20774]

A few other things came to mind overnight... Check to be sure that the cable makes a direct, straight entry to the speedo...not sure if you have had any service or messed around with the cable. Also, it's possible that the bushing where the cable ties into the speedo could be dry, although this might result in more noise than jumpiness. A little light lubricant, say graphite or sewing machine oil, might help the situation.

Kurt in S.A.

[RandyB]

I forgot to mention also to make sure the cable is screwed in tightly. Mine popped off at the moment I was checking my speed. Sinking feeling....

If you do rebuild, don't skimp on WD 40, rinsing or alcohol for drying. Rubbing alcohol, that is. :brow I also set mine in front of a fan to make sure it was dry.

If you skimp, you get to try again. Ask me how I know....

[bmwmick]

I I half wonder if the transmission has anything to do with these needle jumps, because before I had all the above work done the needle jumps were really bad? I will be taking the bike back in for them to work on the speedometer. I am ever so glad I purchased the extended warranty, oh yes.


The speedometer/odometer are driven off the gear drive on the left side of the front wheel.

[manicmechanic]

I've had a few customers whose bikes did the same thing (not necessarily BMW). It turned out that their drive cable was coming apart, due to corrosion and lack of lubrication.

[Boxerkuh]

What I ended up doing is taking the speedometer apart and lubricating all the gears. In a 2004 model, I would expect it to be dirt and grime in the gear housing on the front wheel. Clean it up and let us know what you find... :thumb

[RNR]

same-same issues on my r80rt.
cable first, then overseas speedo rebuild.

my cable was broken, was catching 98 percent of the time.

speedo was also off, but that's another story.

:)

least what i told the leo's...

boxerkuh: 1986 R80RS? In Colorado Red? Gosh, that would make a nice bookend to my 1986 R80RT, and spares and luggage swaps would be a breeze ...

:thumb